Destro Destructo, one of Portland's most enduring MC veterans, has played a prominent role in shifting the city's local hip hop scene for over a decade. He got his start in the mid 90's making a name for himself the way so many rappers do, grinding the battle circuit. Destro would eventually find himself doing work with fellow Portland affiliates Nyqwil and Snafu and the three would go on to form the group Frontline with DJ BlesOne. Around the turn of the Century, Frontline would merge with the Seattle-based Oracle's Creed crew (composed of Onry Ozzborn, Sleep and Pale Soul) and form the pivotal Northwest super-group Oldominion.
It wouldn't be long before the versatile mic magician would embark on his next project; The Boom Bap Project. Destro had known Karim for a few years before the two like-minded MCs would start recording material for Circumstance Dictates, the group's 2001 debut. Circumstance Dictates featured production from the two most distinguished producers to reign from the NW in recent years (Jake One and Vitamin D) and would help to expose Destro and The Boom Bap Project to a broader audience. By 2004 The Boom Bap Project had caught the attention of the seminal underground label Rhymesayers Entertainment, who would release the group's landmark LP Reprogram.
Reprogram
would transcend The Boom Bap Project from local fixture to international success and prove that the group could share the stage with Hip Hop's best (Wu-Tang, The Roots, Dilated Peoples, The Hieroglyphics, and Lyrics Born just to name a few). The Boom Bap Project has played shows from Canada to Europe and plenty in between, garnering a reputation for an exceptionally energetic live show focused on old school schematics and fierce freestyling. After releasing Boom Bap's sophomore LP The Shakedown in 2005 Destro would settle down and take a little time away from the mic. Now fast forward to 2010; the world has finally gotten a taste of some solo Destro material. The Working Progress EP was released for free digital download on December 10th in anticipation for what would be Destro's first official full-length album, The new album features 7 brand new songs with a respectable cast of NorthWest producers (Mr.Hill, DaIN, PeGee13, Architect and A-Static).
On May 5th 2011 Vinyl Fluid Records will release Destro's long awaited full-length solo album, ill.ustrated. From discussing the reality of growing up in a single parent household ("Just A Dream"), to being a parent himself ("Together"), to simply flaunting his dominant mic prowess ("Eat'em Up"), this album showcases a man taking life head-on and not flinching. Fans of his work with Boom Bap Project and Oldominion will hear something both familiar and new. Featuring guest appearances from Vursatyl of Lifesavas, Toki Wright (Rhymesayers), Gold (Sandpeople), iAME (Sandpeople/Oldominion), Josh Malm AKA Redwood Son, Pricy, Candidt (Oldominion) and Sleep (Oldominion), ill.ustrated is the testament of a truly versatile mic veteran who can encompass an array of subject matter while maintaining a style that is truly authentic.
